For weeks police have been receiving tips about Big L's Barbecue and More.

Police said they were more than familiar with the owner but not the restaurant.

The doors opened just last summer, but the restaurant is closed.

Big L's Barbecue and More had good scores from the Louisville Health Department, and according to neighbor Lisa Howard, a good menu.

"He had a good business, good food," said Howard.

But police said the owner, 48-year-old Lawrence Jones Jr., who was arraigned Thursday morning, was in more than just the barbecue business.

LMPD Sgt. Paul Neal helped arrest Jones Wednesday afternoon.

"He's probably been selling dope since (the first day) they moved in here," said Neal.

Neal said that inside Jones' office, under lock and key, was cash, pills and drugs hidden in a lunch cooler.

"He's a convicted felon, a persistent offender. He's on probation for selling drugs. He had over an ounce of cocaine, a handgun and digital scales. For us, that was a nice case," said Neal.

Howard said she isn't sure what to think of Jones' arrest.

"He greets everybody, talks to everybody, he was a very nice man," said Howard.

She said he was a dedicated father and, she thought, a good businessman.

"I don't want to believe it, but I don't know," said Howard.

Jones has bonded out of jail. In addition to drug-trafficking charges, he's also charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Jones was on probation from another drug-related charge at the time of his arrest.

Police said their investigation is continuing. They will be contacting the health department. They said their investigation and Jones' arrest may be enough to permanently close Big L's Barbecue and More.